Sensor for a wireless animal trap detection system

ABSTRACT

An animal trap sensor includes a base having a distal end and a proximal end, a switch having a first metallic element and a second metallic element, and a signal unit, in which, when the first metallic element contacting the second metallic element, thereby forming a closed circuit, such that the signal unit transmits a signal to an off-site receiver. Or, an animal trap sensor includes a first portion and a second portion electrically connected with a signal unit including a power supply, in which, when the first and the second portions are disposed at a first distance between each other, thereby generating an output property, in which, when the first and the second portions are disposed at a second distance between each other, which is different from the first distance, thereby changing the output property and causing the signal unit to transmit a signal to an off-site receiver.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/443,384, filed on Jan. 6, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Application No.62/541,241, filed on Aug. 4, 2017, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to the field of trap monitoring systems.More specifically, the invention relates to sensors, e.g., tremblerswitches, used in animal traps or bait stations, which utilize wirelessalert systems. The invention also relates to sensors, such as Halleffect sensors, for use in animal trap monitoring systems.

Background Art

The present application relates to wireless reporting of events and moreparticularly to wireless reporting of status of animal traps or baitstations.

Animal traps have been in use for years, and the majority of thesedevices use either a spring load or live trap device. Animal traps arefrequently placed in many locations and may also be moved about as needsarise elsewhere. While these devices may be suitable for easy to monitorlocations, they are not suitable for remote hard to monitor locations.One problem with these conventional traps is that they are often placed,for example, in an attic in a house, and there is no easy way of knowingwhen the trap is activated other than by viewing them. Another problemwith live traps is that the animal may be left in a very stressfulenvironment when stuck in the trap for many hours or even days beforethe activated trap is discovered. An example of this stressfulenvironment is when a live trap is placed in an attic that may reachtemperatures in excess of 120° F. Another problem with the standardspring-loaded trap is that an animal is often left for extended periodsof time to the point that they begin to decay attracting even moreanimals.

Further, an individual ordinarily must remember where each trap has beenplaced and frequently check the traps visually to see whether they havebeen sprung so that they can be re-set and re-baited. The task of trapchecking is made even more critical in certain sensitive establishments(e.g., commercial food) or for wildlife (e.g., raccoon, squirrels,nutria species . . . ) where prevailing laws invoke penalties if ananimal has been trapped for too long a period of time.

Therefore, animal trap activation detection systems have been able toprovide basic on/off alert information to users with very limited andnarrow applications. Examples of this include a spring-loaded trap thatsounds a local audio signal when activated. While this attempts to solvethe problem of alerting that a remote trap has been activated, it doesnot solve the fundamental problem if the trap is a considerable distancefrom the trap user. In addition, the battery operated audio device hasthe disadvantage of causing the battery to run down. Another type ofalert system uses sophisticated and expensive sensing techniques, suchas infrared or motion sensors, which alert the trap user once a trapactivation has been detected. Still other alert systems use variousimaging systems to report the presence of an animal in a trap, however,transmitting of digital images has a high bandwidth and energy demands.The expense and sophistication of these devices may limit their use in ahigh volume low-tech field, such as pest control. In general, theseprior approaches are too expensive, too sophisticated, and have a narrowscope of application.

US 2004/0020100 discloses an alert system, in which a battery operatedwireless radio frequency (RF) sensor/transmitter is incorporated withtraps, such as live trap and spring-loaded trap, along with a receiverconfigured to receive signals from the wireless RF transmitter.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,380,775 discloses a device powered by a long-lifebattery for monitoring and communicating the status of traps for verminor pests. After an alarm is triggered, the device transmits a wirelesscommunication to a server, which interprets the communication todetermine the nature and origin of the alarm and send the communicationto a user.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,418,396 discloses a humane animal trap having a triggercircuit coupled with an electronic sensor. The trigger circuit includesa detection circuit for determining the presence of an animal inside thetrap. A wireless alert circuit may be coupled to the detector circuit toprovide for remote signaling of an alarm unit when the animal trap hasbeen tripped.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,946 discloses wireless transmitters in associationwith each of a plurality of animal traps and a central display unit,which receives signals from the traps and displays indicia of the stateof the trap. When an animal takes the bait and springs the trap, themovable portion of the trap moves to catch the animal. The sensor willdetect the movement of the movable member and, when controller nextreads the sensor, a signal will be sent to the display unit to reflectthe state change.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,026,822 discloses a pest control device, which includescircuitry having a component, such as Hall effect device ormagnetoresistor, responsive to a magnetic field proximate to the pestcontrol device to operate the transceiver in an installation mode.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,015,987 discloses an apparatus for monitoring an animaltrap having a movable trapping member, which is movable between a setstate and an actuated state. The apparatus includes a sensor arranged tosense a state of the movable trapping member. The sensor may includeHall effect sensor or magnetic switch.

A need remains for a detection system, that uses simple and inexpensivesensing technology, with minimal bandwidth and energy demands, that iswell adapted for high-volume, low-cost fields such as pest control andallow an operator to easily identify which of a plurality of animaltraps needs to be tended to.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to an animal trapsensor including a base having a distal end and a proximal end, a switchhaving a first metallic element and a second metallic element, and asignal unit, in which the first metallic element and the second metallicelement are electrically separated at the distal end of the base andelectrically connected with the signal unit at the proximal end of thebase, thereby forming an open circuit, in which, when the first metallicelement contacting the second metallic element, thereby forming a closedcircuit, such that the signal unit transmits a signal to an off-sitereceiver.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to an animaltrap sensor including a test mode control mechanism for initiating atest mode, in which, when the test mode is initiated, if the off-sitereceiver receives the signal to register a capture event, this indicatesthat the animal sensor may be operational, and if the off-site receiverdoes not receive the signal, this indicates that the animal sensor maynot be operational.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to an animaltrap sensor including an accelerometer that measures acceleration in oneor more axes of the sensor such that, when the acceleration exceeds apre-set acceleration threshold value, the sensor is adapted to provide amove signal to the off-site receiver, indicating that the sensor hasbeen moved and may not be operational.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to an animaltrap system including an animal trap and the animal trap sensor, whichincludes a base having a distal end and a proximal end, a switch havinga first metallic element and a second metallic element, and a signalunit, in which the first metallic element and the second metallicelement are electrically separated at the distal end of the base andelectrically connected with the signal unit at the proximal end of thebase, thereby forming an open circuit, in which, when the first metallicelement contacting the second metallic element, thereby forming, aclosed circuit, such that the signal unit transmits a signal to anoff-site receiver.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to an animaltrap system including a test mode control mechanism for initiating atest mode, in which, when the test mode is initiated, if the off-sitereceiver receives the signal to register a capture event, indicatingthat the animal sensor may be operational; and if the off-site receiverdoes not receive the signal, indicating that the animal sensor may notbe operational.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to an animaltrap system including an accelerometer that measures acceleration in oneor more axes of the sensor such that, when the acceleration exceeds apre-set acceleration threshold value, the sensor is adapted to provide amove signal to the off-site receiver, indicating that the sensor hasbeen moved and may not be operational.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to an animaltrap system including a divider disposed inside the trap between a mainchamber of the trap and a trap entrance, in which the divider has anopening leading to the main chamber, in which the switch is disposedinside the trap between the opening and the trap entrance, such that ananimal entering the main chamber through the opening will cause thefirst metallic element to contact the second metallic element.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to a baitstation containing the animal trap sensor, which includes a base havinga distal end and a proximal end, a switch having a first metallicelement and a second metallic element, and a signal unit, in which thefirst metallic element and the second metallic element are electricallyseparated at the distal end of the base and electrically connected withthe signal unit at the proximal end of the base, thereby forming an opencircuit, in which, when the first metallic element contacting the secondmetallic element, thereby forming a closed circuit, such that the signalunit transmits a signal to an off-site receiver, in which the firstmetallic element contacting the second metallic element by an animaldirectly or indirectly triggering the switch.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to a baitstation containing a test mode control mechanism for initiating a testmode, in which, when the test mode is initiated, if the off-sitereceiver receives the signal to register a capture event, indicatingthat the animal sensor may be operational; and if the off-site receiverdoes not receive the signal, indicating that the animal sensor may notbe operational.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to a baitstation containing an accelerometer that measures acceleration in one ormore axes of the sensor such that, when the acceleration exceeds apre-set acceleration threshold value, the sensor is adapted to provide amove signal to the off-site receiver, indicating that the sensor hasbeen moved and may not be operational.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to a methodof trapping an animal including providing an animal trap, disposing theanimal trap sensor unto the animal trap, in which the animal trap sensorincludes a base having a distal end and a proximal end, a switch havinga first metallic element and a second metallic element, and a signalunit, in which the first metallic element and the second metallicelement are electrically separated at the distal end of the base andelectrically connected with the signal unit at the proximal end of thebase, thereby forming an open circuit, in which, when the first metallicelement contacting the second metallic element, thereby forming a closedcircuit, such that the signal unit transmits a signal to an off-sitereceiver, contacting the first metallic element with the second metallicelement, when the animal trap is tripped, thereby forming the closedcircuit, and sending the signal to the off-site receiver to register acapture event.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to a methodof trapping an animal including optionally initiating a test mode andsending a signal to the off-site receiver, in which, when the test modeis initiated, if the off-site receiver receives the signal to register acapture event, indicating that the animal sensor may be operational; andif the off-site receiver does not receive the signal, indicating thatthe animal sensor may not be operational; optionally moving the sensorand sending a move signal to the off-site receiver, in which the movesignal indicates the sensor has been moved and may not be operational;contacting the first metallic element with the second metallic element,when the animal trap is tripped, thereby forming the closed circuit; andsending the signal to the off-site receiver to register a capture event.

In yet another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to use ofthe animal trap sensor for registering a capture event of an animal in atrap, in which the animal trap sensor includes a base having a distalend and a proximal end, a switch having a first metallic element and asecond metallic element, and a signal unit, in which the first metallicelement and the second metallic element are electrically separated atthe distal end of the base and electrically connected with the signalunit at the proximal end of the base, thereby forming an open circuit,in which, when the first metallic element contacting the second metallicelement, thereby forming a closed circuit, such that the signal unittransmits a signal to an off-site receiver.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to use of theanimal trap sensor for registering a capture event of an animal in atrap, in which the animal trap sensor may include a test mode controlmechanism for initiating a test mode, in which, when the test mode isinitiated, if the off-site receiver receives the signal to register acapture event, indicating that the animal sensor may be operational; andif the off-site receiver does not receive the signal, indicating thatthe animal sensor may not be operational.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to use of theanimal trap sensor for registering a capture event of an animal in atrap, in which the animal trap sensor may include an accelerometer thatmeasures acceleration in one or more axes of the sensor such that, whenthe acceleration exceeds a pre-set acceleration threshold value, thesensor is adapted to provide a move signal to the off-site receiver,indicating that the sensor has been moved and may not be operational.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to a methodof monitoring an animal trap system using a sensor including testing thesensor including initialing the test mode, contacting the first metallicelement with the second metallic element, in which, if the off-sitereceiver receives the signal to register a capture event, this indicatesthat the animal sensor may be operational; and if the off-site receiverdoes not receive the signal, this indicates that the animal sensor maynot be operational, exiting the test mode, and monitoring a captureevent.

In yet another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein relate to ananimal trap sensor including a first portion and a second portionelectrically connected with a signal unit including a power supply, inwhich, when the first and the second portions are disposed at a firstdistance between each other, thereby generating an output property, inwhich, when the first and the second portions are disposed at a seconddistance between each other, which is different from the first distance,thereby changing the output property and causing the signal unit totransmit a signal to an off-site receiver.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows an animal trap sensor in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 1B shows a cross-section view of animal trap sensor shown in FIG.1A.

FIG. 1C-1F show an animal trap sensor in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1G shows an animal trap sensor in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1H shows an animal trap sensor in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A shows an animal trap sensor in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B shows a cross-section (A-A) view of animal trap sensor shown inFIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 shows an animal trap sensor in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4A shows an animal trap in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 4B-4J show use of an animal trap system in accordance with otherembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A-5C show an animal trap system in accordance with otherembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows an animal trap system in accordance with another embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a method in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show an animal trap system in accordance with otherembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a method in accordance with other embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a method in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show an animal trap system in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows a method in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application relates to wireless reporting of events and moreparticularly to wireless reporting of status of animal traps or baitstations.

Animal traps or bait stations are frequently placed in many locationsand then moved about as needs arise elsewhere. Wireless reporting ofstatus of animal traps or bait stations in remote hard to monitorlocations, e.g., in an attic in a house, may require battery to powerdetection and transmission of signals to users. Constant drain ofbattery shortens battery life may result in spent battery renderingmonitoring systems inoperable.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include animal sensors, e.g.,trembler switches, for detecting the presence of animals in traps orbait stations. For example, trembler switches may contain closed or openelectric circuit indicators. When an animal directly or indirectlytriggers switches by hitting or oscillating switches (or switchesvibrating in response to mechanical door slamming shut), the circuit isclosed and communication signals are distributed through a wirelessnetwork to register a capture event. That helps with battery life as themajority of the time the electric circuit is open and no power isdrained.

FIG. 1A shows animal trap sensor 10 in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention. FIG. 1B shows a cross-section view of animal trap sensor10 shown in FIG. 1A. Animal trap sensor 10 may include base 11 having adistal end 12 and a proximal end 13, switch 101 having a first metallicelement 14 and a second metallic element 15, and signal unit 30 (seeFIG. 3) having transmitters and batteries, which are used to powertransmission of signals to users. In contrast to short range and highpower consumption technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and ZigBee,signal unit 30 may use Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies, such asUltra-narrowband (e.g., Sigfox), Spread-spectrum (e.g., LORA) orNarrowband (e.g., Weightless-P) technologies that allow longer rangecommunication and consume less power.

The first metallic element 14 and the second metallic element 15 areelectrically separated, e.g., without physically contacting each other,at the distal end 12 of base 11 and are electrically connected withsignal unit 30 at the proximal end 13 of base 11, thereby forming anopen circuit. For example, an electrical wire may be soldered to thefirst metallic element 14 and another to the second metallic element 15at the proximal end 13 of base 11.

The first metallic element 14 may have hollow region 16 along alongitudinal axis 17 of the first metallic element 14. Hollow region 16may be configured to sleeve the second metallic element 15 such that aninside surface 18 of the first metallic element 14 surrounds an outsidesurface 19 of the second metallic element 15. When switch 101 isdirectly or indirectly triggered, e.g., oscillated or hit, that, inturn, causes the inside surface 18 of the first metallic element 14 tocontact the outside surface 19 of the second metallic element 15,thereby forming a closed circuit, such that signal unit 30 (see FIG. 1Gand 1H) transmits signal 32 (see FIG. 1G and 1H) to off-site receiver 34(see FIG. 3). Signal 32 may be transmitted wirelessly, e.g., RF signals.The first metallic element 14 may be a flexible metallic element, e.g.,spring, cylindrical or cone-shaped pipe.

FIG. 1C-1E show inside views of animal trap sensor 10 in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure. Connections of the firstand the second metallic elements 14, 15 at the proximal end 13 of base11 may be integrated into printed circuit board (PCB) 102 such that thefirst metallic element 14 and the second metallic element 15 areelectrically separated at the distal end 12 of the base 11 andelectrically connected with signal unit 30 (FIG. 1F) via electricalconductor 28 at the proximal end 13 of base 11, thereby forming an opencircuit. The printed circuit board (PCB) 102 may also help center thesecond metallic element 15 disposed within the first metallic element14.

Other embodiments of the invention include, as shown in FIGS. 1G and 1H,switch 101 having the first 102 and the second 103 metallic elements inthe form of tongue or plate. Each of which have an outside surface 102a, 103 a and an inside surface 102 b, 103 b, such that the insidesurface 102 b of the first metallic element 102 and the inside surface103 b of the second metallic element 103 are opposite to each other.

FIG. 1G shows another embodiment of the invention. The first metallicelement 102 and the second metallic element 103 are electricallyseparated, e.g., without physically contacting each other, at the distalend 101 a of switch 101 and are electrically connected with signal unit30 at the proximal end 101 b of switch 101, thereby forming an opencircuit. The first metallic element 102 and the second metallic element103 may contact each other by force 104 (as indicated by arrows), e.g.,a vertical force, caused by an animal either stepping onto one or bothof the outside surfaces 102 a, 103 a, or by an animal contacting switch101, thus, pressing one element against the other, such that the insidesurface 102 b of the first metallic element 102 contacts the insidesurface 103 b of the second metallic element 103, thereby forming aclosed circuit, such that signal unit 30 transmits signal 32 to off-sitereceiver 34 (see FIG. 3).

FIG. 1H shows yet another embodiment of the invention. Switch 101 mayhave electrical insulator 105 disposed between the inside surfaces 102b, 103 b of the first and the second metallic elements 102, 103 suchthat the first metallic element 102 forms a seesaw-like structure on theinside surface 103 b of the second metallic element 103 or vice versa,using electrical insulator 105 as pivot. For example, the first metallicelement 102 may contact the second metallic element 103 by a seesawmovement (as indicated by an arrow) of the first metallic element 102such that the inside surface 102 b of the first metallic element 102contacts the inside surface 103 b of the second metallic element 103,thereby forming the closed circuit.

The metallic elements 14, 15, 102, 103 of switch 101 may have sharpedges causing a captured animal to avoid contacting switch 101 withsufficient force to bring the first metallic element 14 or 102 intocontact with the second metallic element 15 or 103, respectively. Thus,despite the animal being captured in the trap, the circuit remains openand no signal is generated nor transmitted to the off-site receiver 34.To eliminate risks of such false negative, i.e., captured animals nottriggering switch 101, a sleeve may be used to sheath the metallicelements 14, 15, 102, 103, such that the sharp edges, which causeavoidance, are shielded. Thus, switch 101 may no longer be avoided bycaptured animals. Sleeve can be made of any suitable materials, such asfabric, plastic, paper, or a combination thereof.

In certain trap configurations, enough space may exist between switch101 and the interior trap surfaces (sides or edges) such that small,juvenile animals caught in the trap may be allowed to avoid contact withthe metallic elements 14, 15, 102, 103 of switch 101. To eliminate risksof such false negative, i.e., captured animals not triggering switch101, the metallic elements 14, 15, 102, 103 may be sheathed in a conicalor other shaped design, which may create an expanded trigger area toincrease the likelihood of contact by even the smallest animals. Forexample, a movement of the sleeve caused by captured animals may bringthe first metallic element 14, 102 into contact with the second metallicelement 15, 103, respectively, thereby, closing the circuit andgenerating signal 32 transmitted to offsite receiver 34.

FIG. 2A shows animal trap sensor 20 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B shows a cross-section(A-A) view of animal trap sensor 20 shown in FIG. 2A. The first metallicelement 14 and the second metallic element 15 are electrically separatedat the distal end 24 of the base 21 and electrically connected withsignal unit 30 (see FIG. 3) via electrical conductor 28 at the proximalend 26 of base 21, thereby forming an open circuit. When switch 101 istriggered, e.g., oscillated or hit, that, in turn, causes the firstmetallic element 14 to contact the second metallic element 15, therebyforming a closed circuit, such that signal unit 30 transmits signal 32(see FIG. 3) to off-site receiver 34 (see FIG. 3).

Animal trap sensor 20 may optionally have housing 22 that enclosesswitch 101. Housing 22 may prevent switch 101 from being inadvertentlytriggered, e.g., oscillated or hit and, in turn, causing the firstmetallic element 14 to contact the second metallic element 15 due toenvironmental factors, e.g., dust, debris, partial immersion in water,etc., thus, mitigating contamination and minimizing false positives.

FIG. 3 shows animal trap sensor in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. Animal trap sensor 20 may be adapted to electricallyconnect with signal unit 30 by plugging electrical conductor 28 ofanimal trap sensor 20 into electrical receptacle 36 of signal unit 30.In accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure, sensor20 may be adapted to connect with signal unit 30 via wire 58 (see, forexample, FIGS. 4G, 4H, 5A-5C) or via wireless signals. Signal unit 30may have reset switch 38 for resetting signal unit 30, alternatively thereset can be achieved remotely. When switch 101 is directly orindirectly triggered, e.g., oscillated or hit, that, in turn, causes thefirst metallic element 14 to contact the second metallic element 15,thereby forming a closed circuit, such that signal unit 30 transmitssignal 32 to off-site receiver 34 to register or report a capture event.

For live traps, e.g., multi-catch traps, humane animal traps, orwildlife traps, animal trap sensor 20 may be used for a once and donedetection. Even if animals in live traps continue to close electriccircuit after the initial capture or if more animals got caught,off-site receiver 36 may have software to ignore all subsequent captureevents. Thus, in another embodiment of the present disclosure, off-sitereceiver 36 may be configured not to register or report subsequentcapture events after the initial capture event was registered, even ifoff-site receiver 36 continues to receive subsequent signals from signalunit 30. Off-site receiver 36 may be further configured to resumeregistering or reporting subsequent capture events when signal unit 30is reset using reset switch 38.

FIG. 3 shows that signal unit 30 may include a test mode controlmechanism 31 for initiating a test mode using test mode button 33. Whentriggering test mode, e.g., by depressing test mode button 33 or similarelement, e.g., reset switch 38, on the side of the signal unit 30 orduring set up or during routine maintenance, this may send a test modesignal via signal unit 30, e.g., LORA. Test mode button 33 and resetswitch 38 may be the same unique button for initiating test mode andreset. Test signal may be processed and segregated from historical dataso that test signal may not count as a capture event to indicate anactual animal capture. For example, when test mode is initiated andswitch 101 is triggered, i.e., the first metallic element contacts thesecond metallic element, if off-site receiver 34 receives signal 32 toregister a capture event, this may indicate that animal sensor 20 from“end-to-end” including from sensor 20 to cloud computation, e.g.,transmitting wireless signal 32 and registering signal 32 in off-sitereceiver 34, may be operational. On the other hand, if off-site receiver34 does not receive signal 32, this may indicate that animal sensor 20including from sensor 20 to cloud computation, e.g., transmittingwireless signal 32 and registering signal 32 as capture event inoff-site receiver 34, may not be operational. Thus, test mode operationmay allow operators to identify potential problems and resolve them toensure sensor 20 and/or signal unit 30 are operational when setting upsensor 20 in animal trap. Each attempt to resolve problems may bechecked by triggering switch 101 in test mode. For example, successfulresolution of problems may be indicated by off-site receiver 34receiving signal 32 to register a capture event. This capture event maybe flagged as “in test mode,” so that off-site receiver 34 may not countthis registered capture event “in test mode” as a real capture event,e.g., to be used in trend analysis for predicting future capture events.

FIG. 3 shows that signal unit 30 may include accelerometer 35 thatmeasures acceleration in one or more axes of sensor 20, e.g., two- orthree-axis accelerometer. If sensor 20 and/or signal unit 30 is jostledor moved, accelerometer 35 may detect rapid movement that causesacceleration to exceed a pre-set acceleration threshold value. Sensor 20and/or signal unit 30 may subsequently provide a move signal to off-sitereceiver 34 to indicate sensor 20 and/or signal unit 30 may have beenmoved and, thus, may not be operational. In other words, move signal canbe used to alert user that the trap might not be in good operatingconditions anymore, e.g., moved from the desired location, e.g. notadjacent to wall anymore, but in middle of room. In addition, whenoff-site receiver 34 receives both move signal and capture signal withintemporal proximity, e.g., within 1 second, 2 seconds, 5 seconds, or 10seconds, between each other, the registered capture event may be treatedas a false positive. Off-site receiver 34 may not count this falsepositive as a real capture for the purpose of trending capture eventbecause sensor 20 and/or signal unit 30 was just moved or jostled andwas not really triggered by animals so that no capture data would berecorded. Test mode control mechanism 31 and accelerometer 35 may bedisposed together in the same signal unit 30 and/or sensor 20.Alternatively, test mode control mechanism 31 and accelerometer 35 maybe disposed separately in different signal units and/or sensors.

For bait stations, e.g., perimeter bait stations (not with snap traps),although users may know when animals are feeding and no urgent need tocheck feeding event on-site, subsequent feeding events or hits, however,may be useful as a measure of animal activity, e.g., for countinganimals coming to feed on toxic baits or to indicate when it is time torefill the bait. Thus, in yet another embodiment of the presentdisclosure, off-site receiver 34 may be configured to continue receivingsubsequent signals from signal unit 30 and registering or reportingsubsequent feeding events or hits after the initial one was registered.

Embodiments of the present disclosure also include animal trap systemscontaining animal traps and animal trap sensors for monitoring trapstatus.

FIG. 4A shows animal trap 40, e.g., tilt ramp trap, may have a movablecover 42, which may have at least one hole 44, 46, adapted for insertingswitch 101 of animal trap sensor 20 into inner chamber of trap 40.

FIGS. 4B and 4C show an assembly of animal trap sensor 20 electricallyconnected with signal unit 30 before (FIG. 4B) and after (FIG. 4C)switch 101 is inserted into inner chamber of trap 40 through hole 44.Hole 44 is located above and along a passage leading from entrance 48,where animals enter trap 40. Once animals passing through entrance 48,it is expected that animals would directly or indirectly trigger, e.g.,hit or oscillate, switch 101 causing the first metallic element 14 tocontact the second metallic element 15, thereby forming a closedcircuit, such that signal unit 30 transmits signals to off-site receiverto register or report capture event.

As described above, metallic elements 14, 15 and metallic tongues 102,103 may be sheathed to eliminate false negatives. In case switch 101positioned in the path of animal entry might deter animals from enteringtrap 40, as shown in FIG. 4D, switch 101 may be inserted into insideinner chamber of trap 40 through hole 46 (see FIG. 4A) or hole 43 (FIG.4E) on side wall 41. Thus, once animals entered trap 40, it is expectedthat animals would directly or indirectly trigger, e.g., hit oroscillate, switch 101 (FIG. 4F) causing the first metallic element 14 tocontact the second metallic element 15, thereby forming a closedcircuit, such that signal unit 30 transmits signals to off-site receiverto register or report capture event.

FIG. 4I shows, to ensure that animals, e.g., mouse, of all sizes wouldbe detected in trap 40, such as tin cat style trap, trap 40 may havedivider 47 disposed inside trap 40 between main chamber 401 inside trap40 and trap entrance 48. Divider 47 may have at least one opening 49leading to main chamber 401. Switch (not shown) may be inserted insidetrap 40 through hole 44 and disposed between opening 49 and trapentrance 48, such that animals entering main chamber 401 through opening49 will cause the first metallic element to contact the second metallicelement, thereby forming a closed circuit, such that signal unittransmits signal to off-site receiver.

FIG. 4J shows opening 49 of divider 47 may have any suitable dimensions,e.g., height (x) and width (y), that would allow animals, such as mouse,of all sizes to pass through opening 49. For example, opening 49 mayhave a height of from 15 mm to 25 mm and a width of from 15 mm to 30 mm,preferably, from 18 mm to 22.5 mm (e.g., 18.225 mm, 19.225 mm, 20.225mm, 21.225 mm, and 22.225 mm) in height and from 17 mm to 25.5 mm (e.g.,17.4 mm, 19.4 mm, 21.4 mm, 23.4 mm, and 25.4 mm) in width. Divider 47may be integral part or removable part of trap and may be made of anysuitable materials, e.g., plastics, papers, fabrics, and/or metals, etc.As removable part, divider 47 may be disposed inside trap using anysuitable fastener, e.g., nails, screws, pins, glues, pastes, Velcrosnaps, magnets, etc. Divider 47 itself may be made of magnetizedmaterials and may be directly attached to metal trap entrance.

Configurations shown FIGS. 4B-4F may also be applicable to bait stationssuch that feeding events (or hits) may be monitored when animals insidebait stations directly or indirectly trigger, e.g., oscillate or hit,switch 101 causing the first metallic element 14 to contact the secondmetallic element 15, thereby forming a closed circuit, such that signalunit 30 transmits signals to off-site receiver 34 to register or reporthits or feeding events.

FIGS. 4C and 4D show sensor switch may be attached directly to signalunit 30, e.g., LORA signal processor, which sits on top of trap.However, as shown in FIGS. 4G and 4H, for certain applications, extracover 45 may be needed to cover over trap 40, e.g., tin cat style trap.In these applications, extra cover 45 would be blocked by signal unit30, e.g., LORA signal processor, sitting on top of trap 40. To addressthis issue, FIGS. 4G and 4H show trembler switch (not shown), which ispart of sensor 20 and is inserted into trap 40 through a hole on top 42of trap 40, may be connected with signal unit 30, e.g., LORA signalprocessor, via wire 58 or wireless signals_so that signal unit 30 cannow sit on top of extra cover 45 that enclose trap 40. FIGS. 5A, 5B, and5C show other examples that sensor 20 and signal unit 30 may beconnected with wire 58 or wireless signals. These configurations mayallow sensor 20 and signal unit 30 to be detachably disposed andelectrically connected to each other anywhere in traps, which mayinclude tilt-ramp trap, snap trap, and wildlife trap, to registercapture event.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may also include multiple tremblerswitches (e.g., 1-20, preferably at least 2, at least 5, or at least 10)located in multiple bait stations (e.g., at least 2, at least 5, or atleast 10) or multiple traps (e.g., 1-20, preferably at least 2, at least5, or at least 10) to connect with a single signal unit 30, e.g., LORAsignal processor, via multiple wires (e.g., 1-20, preferably at least 2,at least 5, or at least 10) or via wireless signals.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may also include trembler switchconnected to a mouse trap device that may be triggered by vibrationcaused by the animal, i.e., without direct contact with trembler switchby animals, when capture is made, to closing electrical circuit andrecording capture signal.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 8A show switch 101 (not shown) enclosed in housing 22of sensor 20, which may be connected with signal unit 30, e.g., LORAsignal processor, via wire 58 or wireless signals, may be mounted untoupper jaw 56 of spring-loaded trap 50, e.g., snap trap. FIG. 8A showsthe sensor 20 may be mounted unto upper jaw 56 of spring-loaded trap,e.g., snap trap, via any suitable means, such as a screw 80. When trap50 is tripped or snapped, through the vibrational force of trapsnapping, the first metallic element 14 and the second metallic element15 are brought into contact, thereby forming a closed circuit, such thatsignal unit 30 transmits signals to off-site receiver 34 to register orreport capture event. Such configurations of trap sensor system fortransmitting signals to off-site receiver 34 can also be accomplishedusing switch 101 without housing 22. For example, FIG. 8B shows switch101 without being enclosed by housing 22 may be similarly mounted untoupper jaw 56 of spring-loaded trap, as shown in FIG. 8A. Similarly, whentrap 50 is tripped or snapped, through the vibrational force of trapsnapping, the first metallic element 14 and the second metallic element15 are brought into contact, thereby forming a closed circuit, such thatsignal unit 30 transmits signals to off-site receiver 34 to register orreport capture event.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5B, switch 101 may be positioned onlower jaw 54 of trap 50 such that, when trap 50 is tripped, lower jaw 54snaps against upper jaw 56. Such motion may directly or indirectlytrigger, e.g., hit and oscillate, switch 101 causing the first metallicelement 14 to contact the second metallic element 15, thereby forming aclosed circuit, such that signal unit 30 transmits signals to off-sitereceiver 34. Such configurations of trap sensor system for transmittingsignals to off-site receiver can also be accomplished by attachingswitch 101 to upper jaw 56. Thus, when trap 50 is tripped, upper jaw 56attached with switch 101 snaps against lower jaw 54 causing the firstmetallic element 14 to contact the second metallic element 15, therebyforming a closed circuit,

FIG. 5C shows switch 101 (not shown) enclosed in housing 22 of sensor20, which may be connected with signal unit 30, e.g., LORA signalprocessor, via wire 58 or wireless signals, may be attached to bottomportion 53 of spring-loaded trap 51 by any suitable means, e.g., ties,strings, glues, screws, nails, tapes, VELCRO sticky backs, etc., suchthat, when trap 51 is tripped, spring 55 snaps against bottom portion53. Such motion may trigger, e.g., hit and oscillate, switch 101 causingthe first metallic element 14 to contact the second metallic element 15,thereby forming a closed circuit, such that signal unit 30 transmitssignals to off-site receiver 34.

FIG. 6 shows switch 101 (not shown) enclosed in housing 22 may bepositioned near trap door 62 of live trap 60, e.g., wildlife traps, suchthat, when trap 60 is tripped, movement of closing trap door 62 forciblyvibrate housing 22, thus, directly or indirectly triggering, e.g.,oscillating or hitting, switch 101 inside housing 22, causing the firstmetallic element 14 to contact the second metallic element 15, therebyforming a closed circuit, such that signal unit 30 transmits signals tooff-site receiver 34 to register or report capture event. Suchconfigurations of trap sensor system for transmitting signals tooff-site receiver can also be accomplished by, using switch 101 withouthousing 22.

In case of metal traps, e.g., tin traps, the first metallic element ofswitch 101 may be part of trap itself (stirrup of snap trap), e.g. poleMinus. The second metallic element, e.g., pole Positive, of switch 101may or may not be part of trap itself but can be mounted on traps andhave any suitable shape, e.g., tongue, plate, rod, cone, or spring. Forexample, similar to FIGS. 1G and 1H, animals may contact metal trapcausing the first metallic element 102, e.g., stirrup of snap trap, tocontact the second metallic element 103, e.g., spring, thereby forming aclosed circuit.

FIG. 7 shows a method 70 for trapping animals including providing animaltrap (71), e.g., live traps (e.g., tilt-ramp traps and wildlife traps)and spring-loaded traps (e.g., snap traps); disposing animal trap sensorunto animal trap (72), contacting the first metallic element with thesecond metallic element by directly or indirectly triggering,oscillating, switch (73), when the animal trap is tripped, therebyforming the closed circuit, and sending signals to off-site receiver toregister or report a capture event (74). Such methods for transmittingsignals to off-site receiver may also be applicable to registering andmeasuring frequency of feeding events or hits in bait stations.

FIG. 9 shows a method 90 for trapping animals including providing animaltrap (91), e.g., live traps (e.g., tilt-ramp traps and wildlife traps)and spring-loaded traps (e.g., snap traps); disposing animal trap sensoronto animal trap (92); optionally initiating a test mode and sending asignal to the off-site receiver (93), in which, when test mode isinitiated, if off-site receiver receives the signal to register acapture event, this may indicate that the animal sensor is operational,on the other hand, if off-site receiver does not receive the signal,this may indicate that the animal sensor is not operational; optionallymoving the sensor and sending a move signal to the off-site receiver(94), the move signal may indicate the sensor may be moved and, thus,may not be operational; contacting the first metallic element with thesecond metallic element by directly or indirectly triggering, e.g.,oscillating, switch (95), when tile animal trap is tripped, therebyforming, the closed circuit; and sending signals to off-site receiver toregister or report a capture event (96). Capture event registered in thetest mode may be segregated from real capture event and may not becounted in historical capture events or may not be used in trendanalysis for predicting future capture events. initiating a test mode(93) may be performed at setting up trap or at performing a maintenanceof trap. In addition, when off-site receiver receives the move signaland the signal within temporal proximity, e.g., within 1 second, 2seconds, 5 seconds, or 10 seconds, between each other, the registeredcapture event may be treated as a false positive. Such methods fortransmitting signals to off-site receiver may also be applicable toregistering and measuring frequency of feeding events or hits in baitstations.

FIG. 10 shows a method 100 of monitoring an animal trap system usingsensor in accordance with some embodiments of the invention may includesteps of testing sensor (100 a), which may include initialing test modeand contacting the first metallic element with the second metallicelement, if off-site receiver receives signal to register a captureevent, this indicates that animal sensor may be operational, and ifoff-site receiver does not receive the signal, this indicates thatanimal sensor may not be operational; exiting test mode (100 b),optionally moving sensor and sending move signal indicating the sensorhas been moved, e.g., moved from the desired location, e.g. not adjacentto wall anymore, but in middle of room, and optionally, contacting thefirst metallic element with the second metallic element (100 c), andmonitoring a capture event (100 d). If off-site receiver receives movesignal and signal to register a capture event within 10 seconds betweeneach other, the signal (to register a capture event) is registered as afalse positive. The capture event registered in the test mode may not becounted as a capture event in a trend analysis for predicting futurecapture event. Initiating test mode (100 a) may be at setting up thetrap or at performing a maintenance of the trap.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may also include animal trapsensors that can be activated by a change of distance between twoportions in sensors. For example, FIG. 11A shows that an animal trapsensor may include a first portion 110 and a second portion 112electrically connected, e.g., via electrical wires 116 and/orconductors, with signal unit 30 having power supply 114, e.g., batteryand/or solar power. When the first portion 110 and the second portion112 are disposed at a first distance d1 between each other, therebygenerating an output property, e.g., voltages. FIG. 11B shows that, whenthe first portion 110 and the second portion 112 are disposed at asecond distance d2 between each other, which is different from the firstdistance d1, thereby changing the output property and causing, signalunit 30 to transmit signal 32, e.g., wired and/or wireless signal, tooff-site receiver 34. When output property changes, an indicator 30 a,e.g., LED light, in signal unit 30 may be turned on to indicate trap 113is triggered, and signal 32, e.g., “trigger message,” may be sent tooff-site receiver 34. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, thefirst portion 110 may include magnet and the second portion 112 mayinclude magnetically-responsive component, such as Hall effect sensor ormagnetoresistor.

FIG. 11A shows an animal trap system 111 including an animal trap 113and animal trap sensor that may include a first portion 110 and a secondportion 112 electrically connected, e.g., via electrical wires 116and/or conductors, with signal unit 30 having power supply 114, e.g.,battery and/or solar power. Animal trap 113, e.g., spring-loaded traps,such as snap trap, may include moving portion 115, base 117, andinternal spring mechanism 119 configured to urge moving portion 115toward base 117. The first portion 110 of the sensor may be disposed inmoving portion 115 and the second portion 112 of the sensor may bedisposed in base 117. Alternatively, the first portion 110 of the sensormay be disposed in base 117 and the second portion 112 of the sensor maybe disposed in moving portion 115. Although FIGS. 11A and 11B show thatthe first portion 110 and the second portion 112 of the sensor may bedisposed at the proximal end of animal trap 113, the first portion 110and the second portion 112 of sensor, however, may also be disposed atthe distal end, which may include jaws 118.

FIG. 11A shows that animal trap 113 is armed, when the first portion 110and the second portion 112 of the sensor are disposed at the firstdistance d1 between each other, thereby generating output property,e.g., voltage.

FIG. 11B shows animal trap 113 is triggered, when internal springmechanism 119 urges moving portion 115 toward base 117, the firstportion 110 and the second portion 112 of sensor are disposed at thesecond distance d2 between each other, which is different from the firstdistance d1, thereby changing the output property and causing signalunit 30 to transmit signal 32 to off-site receiver 34.

For example, the first portion 110 may include a magnet positioned onthe moving upper portion 115 of snap trap 113 and the second portion 112may include Hall effect sensor or magnetoresistor positioned on base 117of trap 113. When trap 113 is armed, magnet 110 is at close proximity toHall effect sensor 112, thereby generating a voltage. When trap 113 istriggered, magnet 110 moves away from Hall effect sensor 112, resultingin the second distance d2 being greater than the first distance d1 andabsence or decrease of magnetic field. This, in turn, decreases thevoltage in Hall effect sensor 112. When voltage decreases, indicator 30a, e.g., LED light, in signal unit 30 may be turned on to indicate trap113 is triggered, and signal 32, e.g., “trigger message,” may be sent tooff-site receiver 34.

FIG. 12 shows a method 120 of monitoring the animal trap system,including disposing the first portion and the second portion of sensorat the first distance between each other, thereby generating outputproperty (121), disposing the first portion and the second portion ofsensor at the second distance between each other, which is differentfrom the first distance, thereby changing the output property (122), andtransmitting signal to off-site receiver (123).

Advantages of the present disclosure may include a single sensoradaptable to many applications, e.g., vertical, horizontal, snap traps,live traps, bait stations, etc. In addition, sensors of the presentdisclosure can mitigate contamination that might generate falsepositives from dust, debris, partial immersion in water, etc. Further,sensors of the present disclosure may make long-term remote monitorfeasible with simple battery power because there is no drawing of powerbefore the sensor is activated by a capture event.

Advantages of Hall-effect sensors in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present disclosure may include their simple, reliable, andinexpensive operations and designs, and their electronic chips that arecommonly used in widely available gadgets and products. They are oftenused as proximity sensors. In addition, they are small sensors that maybe disposed into small enclosures in small size traps. These enclosuresmay then be filled-in with any suitable water-proofing materials, e.g.,epoxy. For snap traps, Hall-effect sensors can detect when a snap trapis open or closed. Further, there is at a low or no risk to generate afalse positive by simply moving the trap without snapping it.Hall-effect sensors can be retrofitted on any snap trap, e.g., woodenVictor, T-Rex, etc. Hall-effect sensors may also work even if traps aretightly attached to solid surfaces.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited numberof embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of thisdisclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments can be devised whichdo not depart from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by theattached claims.

1. An animal trap sensor comprising a base comprising a distal end and aproximal end, a switch comprising a first metallic element and a secondmetallic element, and a signal unit, wherein the first metallic elementand the second metallic element are electrically separated at the distalend of the base and electrically connected with the signal unit at theproximal end of the base, thereby forming an open circuit, wherein, whenthe first metallic element contacting the second metallic element,thereby forming a closed circuit, such that the signal unit transmits asignal to an off-site receiver.
 2. The animal trap sensor of claim 1,wherein the first metallic element comprises a hollow region along alongitudinal axis of the first metallic element, wherein the hollowregion is configured to sleeve the second metallic element such that aninside surface of the first metallic element surrounds an outsidesurface of the second metallic element.
 3. The animal trap sensor ofclaim 2, wherein the first metallic element contacting the secondmetallic element by directly or indirectly triggering the switch suchthat the inside surface of the first metallic element contacting theoutside surface of the second metallic element.
 4. The animal trapsensor of claim 1, wherein the first metallic element is a spring. 5.The animal trap sensor of claim 1, wherein the first metallic elementand the second metallic element each comprise an outside surface and aninside surface such that the inside surface of the first metallicelement and the inside surface of the second metallic element areopposite to each other.
 6. The animal trap sensor of claim 5, whereinthe first metallic element contacts the second metallic element bypressing the outside surface of the first and/or the outside surface ofthe second metallic element such that the inside surface of the firstmetallic element contacts the inside surface of the second metallicelement, thereby forming the closed circuit.
 7. The animal trap sensorof claim 5, further comprising an electrical insulator disposed betweenthe inside surfaces of the first and the second metallic elements suchthat the first metallic element forms a seesaw-like structure on theinside surface of the second metallic element using the electricalinsulator as a pivot.
 8. The animal trap sensor of claim 7, wherein thefirst metallic element contacts the second metallic element by a seesawmovement of the first metallic element such that the inside surface ofthe first metallic element contacts the inside surface of the secondmetallic element, thereby forming the closed circuit.
 9. The animal trapsensor of claim 1, wherein the switch is enclosed in a housing.
 10. Theanimal trap sensor of claim 9, wherein the housing is a sleeve.
 11. Theanimal trap sensor of claim 10, wherein the sleeve is configured toexpand inside an animal trap such that a movement of the sleeve causesthe first metallic element to contact the second metallic element,thereby forming the closed circuit.
 12. The animal trap sensor of claim10, wherein the sleeve is made of a fabric.
 13. The animal trap sensorof claim 1, wherein the signal is transmitted wirelessly.
 14. An animaltrap system comprising an animal trap and the animal trap sensor ofclaim
 1. 15-27. (canceled)
 28. A bait station comprises the animal trapsensor of claim 1, wherein the first metallic element contacting thesecond metallic element by an animal directly or indirectly triggeringthe switch.
 29. (canceled)
 30. A method of trapping an animal comprisingproviding an animal trap, disposing the animal trap sensor of claim 1unto the animal trap, contacting the first metallic element with thesecond metallic element, when the animal trap is tripped, therebyforming the dosed circuit, and sending the signal to the off-sitereceiver to register a capture event. 31-57. (canceled)
 58. A method oftrapping an animal comprising providing an animal trap, disposing theanimal trap sensor of claim 33 unto the animal trap, optionallyinitiating a test mode and sending a signal to the off-site receiver,optionally moving the sensor and sending a move signal to the off-sitereceiver, contacting the first metallic element with the second metallicelement, when the animal trap is tripped, thereby forming the closedcircuit, and sending the signal to the off-site receiver to register acapture event, wherein, when the test mode is initiated, if the off-sitereceiver receives the signal to register a capture event, this indicatesthat the animal sensor is operational; and if the off-site receiver doesnot receive the signal, this indicates that the animal sensor is notoperational, wherein the move signal indicates the sensor has been movedand is not operational. 59-63. (canceled)
 64. A method of monitoring ananimal trap system using the sensor of claim 33 comprising testing thesensor, comprising initialing the test mode, contacting the firstmetallic element with the second metallic element, wherein, if theoff-site receiver receives the signal to register a capture event, thisindicates that the animal sensor is operational; and if the off-sitereceiver does not receive the signal, this indicates that the animalsensor is not operational, exiting the test mode, and monitoring acapture event. 65-67. (canceled)
 68. An animal trap sensor comprising afirst portion and a second portion electrically connected with a signalunit comprising a power supply, wherein, when the first and the secondportions are disposed at a first distance between each other, therebygenerating an output property, wherein, when the first and the secondportions are disposed at a second distance between each other, which isdifferent from the first distance, thereby changing the output propertyand causing the signal unit to transmit a signal to an off-sitereceiver.
 69. The animal trap sensor of claim 68, wherein the firstportion comprises a magnet and the second portion comprises amagnetically-responsive component. 70-73. (canceled)